The *New* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Frequently Asked Questions (FEB2004) Part 2

[TxTiggergal]

All the lodge tower rooms have garden views with the exception of Sago Cay. The front of that building looks towards the marina, which may be a nicer option for you. Concy Key has beautiful garden views, while Boca Chica and Big Pine Key tend to overlook the courtyard pool. I haven't stayed in either of these buildings, so I can't comment on whether or not noise would be a factor while out on your balcony. Personally, I prefer Sago Cay and Conch Key, just because they're sort of off the beaten path and feel a little quieter to me.

Tammi - Thanks for the help! I'm thinking either Sago Cay or Conch Key would be just great.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lynn, glad you had such a great birthday trip! My 40th will be in March 2009, so now I know where I want to go! Is that a regular HM room, or do you book the octagon specifically?

I'm not Lyn , but I can tell you that the octagonal honeymoon rooms are by request only. They lump those rooms (there are 6) and the regular 2nd floor honeymoon RPC rooms (with a guaranteed view of the Castle) into the same room category.

Either way, still not a bad way to stay. But those octagonal rooms do look cool!

 

[triplefigs]

I'm not Lyn , but I can tell you that the octagonal honeymoon rooms are by request only. They lump those rooms (there are 6) and the regular 2nd floor honeymoon RPC rooms (with a guaranteed view of the Castle) into the same room category.

Either way, still not a bad way to stay. But those octagonal rooms do look cool!

Thanks, Lindsay. But I bet I never see a honeymoon room as I would have MAYHEM with 3 certain kiddos if we didn't take them with us...

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks, Lindsay. But I bet I never see a honeymoon room as I would have MAYHEM with 3 certain kiddos if we didn't take them with us...

You can always say Mommy and Daddy need to go on a "business" trip...

Or, I'd be happy to come along and babysit your kids in a separate room!

 

[lynr]

Lynn, glad you had such a great birthday trip! My 40th will be in March 2009, so now I know where I want to go! Is that a regular HM room, or do you book the octagon specifically?

I'm not really sure my travel agent booked it for us and told me it is consider a Deluxe Royal Palm room.

Lyn

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lyn - It sounds like it was perfect. I am so glad!!!!!! I know your last stay was disappointing & I am SO glad this one for your bday was a good one.

Details!!!! Oopsssss.....I missed the whole page prior to this one!! Thanks for the pics, Lyn - they are beautiful. I wish I could go sometime to GF with just DH or my girls and have that room. It looks really special. I am glad you had some magic this time.

Lives4Disney

 

[Jen66]

Lyn~ Welcome home I'm glad your birthday trip was magical!
The pictures of your room and view are amazing! I cannot wait to hear all about your trip!
I'm also glad your FIL is better!

 

[SLDL]

Those are some great pics of the room! Can you tell me how different the regular (i.e. Garden View) rooms look? Do they have a walk in closet, etc. etc. Just curious.

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks for reporting Lyn! Glad you had a wonderful trip - your room view is incredible! Hope your FIL is feeling much better,too. Did the CM's say anything more about the rehab?

 

[Janet2k]

I am back from my fabulous birthday trip. It was truly magical from beginning to end. The weather was great, but hot!!!

Lynr, welcome back. And thank you for sharing the wonderful photos of your room. Those octagon rooms sure are lovely.

Let me just add that those minibar prices are EXTREMELY reasonable for a minibar. I just got back from staying at a Hyatt last weekend and a can of coke was $6.00 and a bottle of water was $5.00, so that is not much of a markup for the convenience factor.

BrianD, I agree. I thought the pricing was reasonable for the Private Pantry items, too. If the Grand Floridian decides to keep them in the newly renovated rooms, I hope the pricing continues to stay reasonable.

Does anyone think its necessary to reserve the sea racers in advance - in July?

CastleLight, in the past, I’ve been told that you can’t reserve the little boats in advance. I’m not sure if that still holds true today, but a quick call to the Marina would answer that question.

In all the years that my family has rented the little boats (Water Mice, Water Sprites, Sea Raycers), I only remember once (maybe twice) being told by the Marina that they didn’t have enough boats currently available to satisfy my party’s size (we required multiple boats). But that wasn’t a big deal since the turnover rate on those boats is fairly constant. Within 20 minutes or so, enough boats were returned so that my party could hit the seas.

The only thing I want to caution you about is the danger of heat & sun in the summer months. Two summers ago, my family & our friends rented the Sea Raycers. Because my daughter wasn’t old enough to drive, she had to double up with me in my boat. About 30-minutes into our trip, I noticed that her head was drooping and her eyes were rolling into the back of her head. Thankfully, we had plenty of water with us and even one of those large Disney spray bottles with a built-in fan, but by the time I got us back to the marina, my daughter was in very scary shape. Thank goodness the Marina Staff was on their toes. They iced my daughter down in places that I didn’t even know someone could be iced down in. Within 30-minutes or so, my daughter’s temperature began to drop and she began to recover. But those were 30 very long minutes and I feared she’d have to be taken to the hospital for heat stroke treatment. To this day, I still can cry whenever I remember that hot, sunny, fateful August afternoon. So, please be careful out there. The life vest that you have to wear only adds to the heat.

I'm still weighing our options for our 20th vow renewal... I'd rather have a GF DVC, but I'll take a CR DVC that's only a short monorail ride away...

Mlill, I’d love it if they had a GF DVC. Boy, I’d be in Hog Heaven. *Oink!* *Oink!*

....about that pontoon boat pricing....I could swear we didn't pay more than $60/hr. I don't think it was >$80. Maybe they did cut us a deal. DH also thought it was about $50/60 range per hr.

Lives4Disney, those prices came directly from Disney’s official price list. However, there are discounts offered on recreational items such as boats. Perhaps you received one of those discounts. DVC members get a discount and also Annual Passholders. For example, the following comes directly from the Annual Passholder website:

Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Centre
Take 10% off parasailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and personal watercraft for the Passholder at Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Reservations required. Certain age restrictions apply. For more information or reservations call (407) WDW-PLAY (939-7529)†.

Marina Boat Rentals
Passholder receives a 15% discount off the regular price of boat rentals at any Walt Disney World® Resort Marina. Subject to availability. Certain age restrictions apply (excludes Specialty Cruises).

I was wondering how is Gasparilla Grill? What have you guys had there that is good?

Jen66, my all-time favorite item from Gasparilla Grill is the chicken noodle soup. Yum! It’s just not a Grand Floridian vacation if I haven’t had a bowl of their chicken noodle soup. Even in the summer. I can’t remember how many bowls I enjoyed last July & August. Quite a few, which I find amusing since soup is normally an item that I only eat when it's cold outside -- not when the temperature is approaching 100-degrees!

…but what is the SunTracker Pontoon ?

Glorydaz, if you click on the following link, you can see one example of a Sun Tracker pontoon boat: click here. Disney has boats in different configurations (some larger, some smaller, some for fishing, some for boating). I wish my on-line photos were available because I have a few shots of the boats that we used during various fishing excursions both at the Magic Kingdom resorts and at the Epcot resorts.

I'm thinking either Sago Cay or Conch Key would be just great.

TxTiggergal, I see that TammiMcMan has shared her experiences with you. I have to agree with her comment about Sago Cay and Conch Key being off the beaten path. Conch Key is my favorite building at the Grand Floridian. Plus, it’s right there at the Water Taxi Dock (I prefer to travel by boat). I love staying there.

Can you tell me how different the regular (i.e. Garden View) rooms look? Do they have a walk in closet, etc. etc. Just curious.

SLDL, in all the different room types that I’ve stayed in at the Grand Floridian, only the octagon honeymoon room had a walk-in type of closet. All the rest of the rooms (standard, deluxe, dormer, suite) had a standard closet. TammiMcMan has a couple of the floor plans for the various rooms. Perhaps she’ll post them again so that you can get a feel for the layout of the rooms at the Grand Floridian.

 

[marcij]

Lindsay and Denise -- thanks for the great ideas!

We did the sleigh ride last year and loved it! We will be so dependent on the weather, so things like parasailing and miniature golf might be okay, especially with the weather we had last year, but then with my luck, it would be freezing cold. I like the idea of a fishing excursion -- the boys love to fish and we don't have much time to do that. It would be warmer during the day, so that might work really well.

Thanks, guys.

Anyone else with ideas -- feel free to join in!

 

[CastleLight]

...The only thing I want to caution you about is the danger of heat & sun in the summer months. Two summers ago, my family & our friends rented the Sea Raycers. Because my daughter wasn’t old enough to drive, she had to double up with me in my boat. About 30-minutes into our trip, I noticed that her head was drooping and her eyes were rolling into the back of her head. Thankfully, we had plenty of water with us and even one of those large Disney spray bottles with a built-in fan, but by the time I got us back to the marina, my daughter was in very scary shape. Thank goodness the Marina Staff was on their toes. They iced my daughter down in places that I didn’t even know someone could be iced down in. Within 30-minutes or so, my daughter’s temperature began to drop and she began to recover. But those were 30 very long minutes and I feared she’d have to be taken to the hospital for heat stroke treatment. To this day, I still can cry whenever I remember that hot, sunny, fateful August afternoon. So, please be careful out there. The life vest that you have to wear only adds to the heat.

Thank you so much for mentioning that! How horrible and scary for you and your daughter!! I had heat stroke once - and I wouldn't want to risk that again. I will take your advice and try to get out on the boats either early in the a.m. or after 4ish. I really appreciate you sharing your story. Thank you!!!

 

[magical4us4]

That would be wonderful!!!! My dd is about 27 lbs. if they have the weight on there, I don't think length is an issue as I think the dresses are shorter anyway. If you don't see a size smaller than 4 maybe you could see the weight on the size 4 b/c I'm thinking it might work. Thank you thank you thank you! And I have never seen the Alice dresses at the Disney Store, but I don't think I had seen any anywhere until I saw the one at the GF.

SLDL, I am back! Sorry I did not get to write while at the GF. My daughter's computer wasn't able to log on.

I checked downstairs for the Alice dress and they have x-small sizes (No weight was on the tag). It looks to me that it will most likely fit a 2 year old. Also, while we were in EPCOT they were also in one of the London gift shops where Pooh is for photo ops.

The dresses are very comfortable and adorable. I hope I helped!

Magical

 

[magical4us4]

Hi everyone, I am home!

Got great information on the rehab at the GF.

Building 5 is completed and they are taking one building at a time. The RPC will be the last building to be done. They will be doing a section at a time in the main building, and not closing it.

Also, they have not started in the main building as of yet.

I found out about the decor....it will be very similar to what they have now but a little softer. There will be new furniture (as I saw big trailers delivering them). The curtains, wallpaper, rugs, comforter, pillows, etc....will all be replaced. Also, of course, flat screen tvs. They already put the flat screen tvs on the concierge floor lounge main building, and switched the furniture around. It looks nicer and roomier.

The decor before was a little busy and they will be down playing it everywhere.

I tried to get into building 5 to see the new look, but all rooms were booked and couldn't get in there.

It was very, very busy in RPC. I couldn't believe it! They even ran out of the chicken wellington one night(in one hour!) and I didn't get to taste it.

Any questions, ask away.

Magical

 

[Alicnwondrln]

which building is #5?
I cant believe no has any pics yetand there are none of any sites either

 

[Lives4Disney]

Magical....what building is #5?? I am hoping it's SAGO!!! Thanks for the info on the new decor.

What RPC room were you in?? Did you get a MK view?? How was your check in done?? Was it by a curbside CM??

Details!!

THANKS,

Lives4Disney

 

[magical4us4]

Magical....what building is #5?? I am hoping it's SAGO!!! Thanks for the info on the new decor.

What RPC room were you in?? Did you get a MK view?? How was your check in done?? Was it by a curbside CM??

Details!!

THANKS,

Lives4Disney

Hi Lives4Disney!

Building 5 is the one to the left of Gaspy's when you are looking out towards the castle.

We got MK view, two connecting rooms! It was beautiful and they were on the 4th floor (4402 & 03).

Check in was okay. We were greeted at curbside and brought upstairs to the lounge, our rooms were not ready and we had to wait till after 3:00. I feel it would be better to check in at the 3rd floor desks, as the lounge table was dirty and the paper work was done on it. Not a great first impression for our guests that we brought along.

Everything else was just beautiful!!

 

[Tinks]

Just a heads up that the Alice comforter is on ebay in king size. Also some bed skirts. Very cute and tempting, but I don't think DH would go for it and I don't have a daughter. Hope this helps some GF fans!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi Lives4Disney!

Building 5 is the one to the left of Gaspy's when you are looking out towards the castle.

We got MK view, two connecting rooms! It was beautiful and they were on the 4th floor (4402 & 03).

Check in was okay. We were greeted at curbside and brought upstairs to the lounge, our rooms were not ready and we had to wait till after 3:00. I feel it would be better to check in at the 3rd floor desks, as the lounge table was dirty and the paper work was done on it. Not a great first impression for our guests that we brought along.

Everything else was just beautiful!!

That is wonderful you had the MK view rooms! We were in 4403 for our Xmas stay!!!! PERFECT view!

THANKS for the info!! It sounds like that is Sago - facing the marina and Sugar Loaf?? - I requested Sago when I made my ressie thru CRO. YAY!!! (Well, if I get my request, lol)

Ya, when we stay RPC again, if the CMs we know are still on the 3rd floor I will say I want to have 3rd floor check in. I used to always ask them if the assigned room was MK view. Not sure if these new curbside check in CMs would even know. Also, the desk CMs used to be able to rearrange things to get us what we wanted. Now sounds like no more of that.

What happened between your check in and 3 pm? Did you get to go out to the parks? Did they phone you when your room was ready??

Did your friends "get it"? Did they catch the Disney magic?

Lives4Disney

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Ok, you wonderful ladies of the GF, tell me. We have a lagoon view room for Dec. 7 - 15th. And I originally had a MK view at CR. DH asked me to change resorts because of construction there, plus he secretly really wanted to stay at GF but was letting me have the MK view. Anyway, back to my question. What building should I request (I know it is ONLY a request) to try and get a MK view. I could not get a AAA discount for a MK view room, but I could get a discount for a lagoon view and hope to get one that looks out towards MK. I hope that made sense, I read it 3 times and to me the question is confusing. My Travel Agent has been out on Maternity Leave and comes back next week and I want to have all my requests and changes ready for her when she comes back. Oh and we are not staying at a Club Level, just a standard room.

Thank you!!!